Dunn Proposes Critical Public Safety Legislation [OPINION]
After Barry Richard broke the news that a New Bedford police officer s home was fired upon at the Brickenwood Apartments in the middle of the night, crime in the city and the New Bedford Police Department s reporting of it came to the forefront of the local conversation.
The NBPD was unnervingly mum about the shooting until Barry reported it on air and there were also conflicting reports between the police union and NBPD leadership on whether or not officers on duty were properly made aware of the incident.
Recognizing the pressing need for greater transparency and efficacy of crime reporting between the NBPD and the people of New Bedford, Ward 3 City Councilor Hugh Dunn filed three separate motions to be heard and acted upon by the City Council.
It is election season in many Massachusetts cities and towns. The smart candidates have started early because COVID-19 is making retail politics more difficult.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he is open to applying for a federal SAFER grant to preserve Engine 8, but is skeptical the request would be approved.
New Bedford Fires Not Related, Chief Kruger Says
New Bedford crews battled five major fires in seven days, and one of the fires is being investigated as arson. However, there is no evidence that the fires are related, according to Acting Fire Chief Scott Kruger. There have been several major fires lately in our city besides this one but there is no connection between them, Kruger was quoted in a Jan. 29 statement sent from the Office of State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey announcing a determination that the Jan. 27 fire at 124 Bonney had been intentionally set.
Kruger provided WBSM News with an update on the status of the five fire investigations: